Cons

Bottom Line

This Holiday Inn offers affordable rooms on a busy street. It may be a good option for travelers wanting to visit Newport on a budget (and who don't mind being a 20-minute drive away), or parents visiting their kids at the University of Rhode Island just down the road. Others might want to look elsewhere, as the mediocre rooms and restaurant, small pool, and lack of a free breakfast aren't big draws.

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Standard chain hotel on a busy street

Liliana's at the Holiday Inn South Kingstown

There’s not a lot to say about this Holiday Inn. Filled with business travelers during the week, and families visiting their kids at the University of Rhode Island on the weekends, it offers little more than a comfortable place to crash at affordable rates.

A typical chain hotel lobby leads to the elevators. Once guests reach their floor, they should be prepared for a possibly long walk -- the hallways are very long. There's not much to look at as far as decor goes, but this isn't the kind of place where you’ll be hanging at the hotel all day. Aside from a tiny fitness room, and a seasonal pool, there’s not a whole lot going on at the hotel itself -- except Liliana’s, an Italian restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (with live jazz on Friday nights).

It’s about 20 minutes from downtown Newport, although you should be prepared for an $8 round-trip toll over the Pell bridge.

Location

Right off a highway near the University of Rhose Island, and a bit of a drive to downtown Newport

Kingstown is not exactly next door to Newport -- it's about a 20-minute drive to downtown. It is very close, however, to the University of Rhode Island, and a number of nice local beaches. So it's a good choice for families visiting their college kids who might want to hit the beach while in town. Alternately, if you want to check out Newport but can't afford the town's prices, this might be an option for you.

Newport is located in Rhode Island, and is famous for the restored, historic New England mansions dotting the coast, and its downtown area. Architecture and history buffs will find plenty to explore in the National Historic Landmark District, at the Newport Historical Society, and all along Bellevue Avenue where some of the most impressive homes are located, such as the famous Breakers Mansion. Some of the mansions are open for guided tours.

Aside from being rich in history and architecture, Newport also plays hosts to a number of music and film festivals each year, including the Newport Jazz Festival (past performers include Miles Davis and Duke Ellington), Newport Folk Festival in Fort Adams State Park, and Newport International Film Festival.

Tennis, yachting, and golf are popular in Newport, as you might be expect of an area teeming with wealthy individuals. The International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Newport Country Club are both in town.

If nature is more your thing, check out Gooseberry Beach located on Ocean Drive or enjoy the extremely popular Cliff Walk. It’s been designated a National Recreation Trail and runs about 3.5 miles along the shore.

Sometimes you just want to shop and eat, however. Downtown Newport is bursting with shops, cute boutiques and galleries. After you’ve exhausted your credit card and feet, pop into one of the many waterfront restaurants serving up fresh seafood and other local cuisine.

17-minute drive from Kingston, RI Amtrak

25-minute drive to T. F. Green Airport

90-minute drive from Boston Logan Airport

19-minute drive to Cliff Walk

20-minute drive to downtown Newport

20-minute drive to Museum of Newport History

22-minute drive to Newport Harbor

24-minute drive to Breakers Mansion

4-hour drive to New York City

Rooms

Basic Holiday Inn rooms are getting a little dingy.

The Standard Double Room #214 at the Holiday Inn South Kingstown

The rooms at this mid-range hotel aren't that exciting, but offer pretty much what guests expect from a suburban Holiday Inn -- dated patterned rugs (some could use a good cleaning), tube televisions (no flat-screens here), simple wood desks, and patterned chairs. A few perks: coffeemakers with free coffee, free Wi-Fi, and premium cable. Some guests complain that the walls are thin (noise carries) and the bathrooms are so tiny you can barely shut the door.

Bottom Line

This Holiday Inn offers affordable rooms on a busy street. It may be a good option for travelers wanting to visit Newport on a budget (and who don't mind being a 20-minute drive away), or parents visiting their kids at the University of Rhode Island just down the road. Others might want to look elsewhere, as the mediocre rooms and restaurant, small pool, and lack of a free breakfast aren't big draws.